To boost competitiveness of states, it also established the Nigerian Investment Certification Programme (NICP).

To develop Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, it executed the Growth and Employment Programme (GEM), and disbursed N3.7 billion to 910 entrepreneurs.

It added that through the GEM programme, six innovation hubs were set up to enhance the growth of the MSME sector.

The ministry also said it implemented the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), the largest microcredit scheme in the history of Nigeria – granting revolving credit to over 1.5 million traders, artisans, youths and farmers.

It said that it jointly executed 25 MSME Clinics with the Office of the Vice-President, bringing government services directly to the MSMEs in their states of operation.

“We disbursed N487.5 billion to 3,334 enterprises through the Bank of Industry (BoI) and provided technical assistance to 21,000 MSMEs.

“We equally launched the national SME Portal to drive ease of access to government services for SMEs,” it said. (NAN)